Brick-machine



No. 24,399. Patented May 2, i399.

w. F. snmrsou.

BRICK MACHINE.-

(Application filed July 8, 1997.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

' fiv/an/fior Waller 7. AWE/7272s 071 (No Model.)

Patented May 2, I899.

W. F. STIMPSDN. BRICK MACHINE.

(Application 518d July 8, 1897.)

3 Sheets$het 2.

Patented May 2, 1899.

W. F. STIMPSON.

BRICK MACHINE.

(Application filed July 8, 1397.

V 3 Sheets-$heet 3.

(No Model.)

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we warms PETERS cu, Pnoro-uwo WASH UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VALTER F. STIMPSON, OF MILAN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO H. BREVER & C

00., OF TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN.

BRICK-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,399, dated May 2,1899. I

Application filed July 8, 1897- Serial No. 643.813. \No model- To allwhmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER F. STIMPSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milan, in the State of Michigan, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Brick- Machines, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention consists in the construction of a cut-off mechanism forbrick, tile, or other machines used in the manufacture of clay products,&c.

The invention particularly consists in the construction of the actuatingmechanism for the longitudinally-reciprocating table across which thecolumn of clay is fed, and, further, in the construction of that tableand its support, and, further, in the constructionof the cut-off and itsactuating devices, and in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof the various parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, andspecifically pointed outin the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of myimproved machine.Fig. 2 is atop plan View thereof with the cut-off-actuating mechanismremoved. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the actuating devices for thereciprocating tables. Figs. 4 and 5 are elevations illustrating thelast-mentioned parts. Fig. 6 is a Vertical transverse sectionthrough theframe of the machine, beside the actuating devices for the cut-off..Fig. 7 is a sectional perspective illustrating the operation of thecut-off. Fig. 8 is alongitudinal section illustrating the antifrictionseparating devices for the reciprocating. carriage. Figs. 9, 1O, 11, and12 are detail views .illustrating the devices for the cut-off carriage.Fig. 13 is an end elevation of the wire-cleanin g device, and Fig. 14 isa top plan view. Fig. 15 is a detail View of the spring-latch o,engaging the shaft to. I V I A is the frame of the machine, whichsupports the working parts.

.13 is an endless beltupon which the column of clay is fed, and whichbelt is moved with and by the clay. Centrally of the machine is acut-off, and beyond the cut-off is a second belt C,vwhich removes thecut bricks. These wheel.

belts and the frame may be of any desired construction.

My invention relates solely to the construction of the cut-offmechanism.

. The cutoff mechanism is as follows: D is a table between the twobelts. This comprises the top a and the frame I). The table is mountedupon rollers, balls, or other antifri'ction-bearings. I have shown theaxles c mounted in ball-bearings and having wheels of rollers 01 runningon tracks 6 on the frame. The frame I) also has a bearing to hold itagainstupward thrustsuch, for instance, as the beams or members it belowthe frame A andhaving rollers, such as d, contacting with rails orbearings on the under face of the frame.

While I have shown an ordinary wheeled carriage, it is evident that anyother form of antifriction device may be used to support the table andreduce the friction which the moving clay has toovercome in actuatingit.So far as one particular of my invention is concerned I deem itessential that the table shall be supported in bearings which shallresistboth up and down movement for reasons which will hereinafter moreplainly appear.

The clay reciprocates the table forward and backward by the followingmechanism: The belt B passes at one end around the roller or drum E.Upon the end of the shaft of this drumis a gear-wheel E. Connected tothe carriage is a rack-bar F, which is adapted to mesh with thegear-wheel E and to be disengaged therefrom by turning on the hinge orpivot by which 'it is connected with the carriage or table. The spring Facts to hold the rack-bar in engagement with the gear- G are pins on thegear-wheel E, which are adapted to strike the inclined face i on theunder face of the block or flange G on the rack-bar when the carriagehas been moved far enough in one direction, lifting the rackbar out ofengagement with the gear-wheel. After thus lifting it out it is held outof engagement the necessary length of time between the forward reciprocations by any suitable mechanism--such, for instance, as the notcheddisk I-I, beside the gear-wheel -E','

and a finger I-I, bearing thereon, which is seshatt U engages.

cured to the rack-bar and will ride over the plain face of this diskbetween the notches, thus holding the rack-bar out of engagement untilanother notch is reached in the revolution of the disk, at which time,the pin having passed out from beneath the inclined face 1', therack-bar is free to drop into engagement with the gear-wheel, beingpositively moved and held therein by the spring F. By this constructionthe table is reciprocated forward at intervals at exactly the same speedas the movement of the clay, the parts being so proportioned as toproduce this result: The table is returned by the engagement of the pinsG with a finger I on the arm J, which is connected to the table, theparts being so combined that a pin G will strike this arm at the propermoment and will continue in engagement therewith, drawing the tablebackward until the pin runs oif the end of the arm in its upwardmovement. With this exceedingly simple mechanism I am enabled to get thedifferential movement required in the forward and backwardreciprocations of the table and to get an absolutely positive length ofmovement for the table both ways, the reciprocations being effectedentirely by the force and movement of the clay.

It is customary in machines of this kind to carry on the reciprocatingtable a transversely-reciprocating cut-off, andsuch cut- .offs areusually driven from a motor or power supported on the frame of themachine or adjacent thereto to pull or push the cut-off sidewise,thereby imparting to the supportingrollers of the table a considerableside friction, which must be overcome by the power of the clay in itsmovement. This friction is objectionable, because it sometimes causesthe column of clay to slip or to buckle or bend. I have overcome theseobjections by applying the power for propelling the cut off in thedirection of the loadthat is, down upon the wheels which carry thereciprocating table, or upward, in case it is desired. As will readilybe understood, this prevents any side motion or thrust on thesupporting-rollers of the table, and thereby greatly reduces thefriction which the clay has to overcome in its forward motion.

The cut-oif comprises the frame L, moving in suitable transverse guidesin the table and carrying, as is shown, the desired number of wires-L orother cutting devices for severing the column of clay, the table beingprovided with slits M, in which these wires run. At each side of thetable suitable abutments M are provided, between which the column ofclay passes to resist the. side motion in the act of cutting. This frameL has a horizontal rack-bar O, with which a gear-wheel O on the ()n thissame shaft is a pinion P, with which the rack-bar P on the frame Qengages. This frame moves in snitable guides in the reciprocating table,and as this rack-bar P moves up or down it actuates, through the pinionP, gear-wheel O, and rackbar 0, the cut-off, which transversely movesthe wires through the column of clay. In its downward movement the loadon the supporting-rollers d is simply increased. In the upward movementthe rollers d sustain the load or thrust, and in this upward movementthe actual work of the clay to move the table is lessened. The frame Qis intermittently operated through the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 9,and 10 and is controlled by the movement of the clay. This mechanism isof the following construction: R is a driven shaft turned from anysuitable source of power, which carries at, one end the head 70, whichhas 'on it the pins or lugs Loose on this shaft is the pinion Z, whichmeshes upon opposite sides with the gear-wheels S, which are secured tothe ends of the shafts T, as plainly shown in Fig. 0. On this pinion Zis a spring-actuated dog m, which is so located as to be normally insidethe path of movement of the pins or lugs k'that is, the pins or lugswill passover it without touching. It is held in this position by meansof a lever or arm 0, secured to the rock-shaft U by means of a flexibleor jointed spring-latch o. The arm or lever 0 has a lug or fingerengaging with a lug or finger p on the dog M. Then these parts are thusengaged, they are in the position shown in Fig. 10. The disengagement ofthese parts is controlled by. the movement of the clay through thefollowing connecting devices: The shaft U is provided with a crank-arm Uwhich is connected by a connecting-rod U with the bell-crank lever V onthe shaft V, mounted on the frame of the machine, as shown in Figs. 1and 2. This shaft, at the other end, has a rock-arm V which is connected by the pitman or connecting-rod W with the reciprocating table,as plainly shown in Fig. 2. When the shaft U is rocked and lifts the arm0 out of engagement with the finger p of the dog 777., its spring willimmediately throw out that dog into the path of the pin 70 and cause thegear-wheel Z to turn, thereby turning the gear-wheels S, and through theshafts T the cranks X on those shafts and connecting-rods X will movethe frame Q and its rack-bar, operating the cut-off in one direc tion.As soon as the shafts T begin to rotate the arm 0 is disengaged from itsshaft and drops in such position thatupon the completion of the rotationof the wheel Z it will catch the dog and release it from engagement fromthe shaft. Thisis accomplished by having the spring-latch 0 providedwith a hooked'end r,

engaging over one of the shafts T, which hooked portion acts as a guidefor thespringlatch. The spring-latch is also provided with a shoulder orplate 7*,which is adapted to be struck by pins 3 or cams on the shaft T,moving the latch lengthwlse against the tension of its spring andreleasing the arm from connection with the rock-shaft, so that it willdrop in the manner and for the purpose just described. From thisdescription'it will be seen that the movement of the clay or the theside plates or side abutments M, between reciprocating table controlsabsolutely the movement of the cut-off.

It will be understood without further description that the nextoperation of the gearwheels S will be to move the rack-bar P in theopposite direction and effect the cutting by the cut-off in its returnmovement.

It will be observed that the power applied for operating the cut-off isapplied up or down (in this case both up and down) upon the reciprocating table,which carries the actuating devices for the cut-off. By thismeans all side friction on the supporting devices of the reciprocatingtable is obviated and the power required of the clay to operate thetable is greatly lessened.

The mechanism carried by the table for operating the cut-off is alsovery light and simple. It is desirable to clean the wires after eachoperation. This I accomplish, preferably, by the mechanism shown inFigs. 13 and 14. To

which the column of clay is guided, I secure the bowed scrapers Z,preferably of spring metal. These scrapers have the outwardlyextendingends Z, so as to make an enlarging opening, into which the wires may beguided, as plainly shown in Fig. 13. These bow-shaped scraper-bars aredesirable, because they scrape the wires oft gradually and thoroughlyclean them.

I do not deem it necessary to describe the operation of the machine as awhole, for the reason that I have described the operation of each partof the mechanism in connection with the description of its construction.

It will be seen that the reciprocating table moves forward by powerapplied from the periphery of the wheel E, thus causing the table tomove forward at the same speed as the clay, and that the power (from themoving clay) for returning the table is a plied to the periphery of thewheel; but the connection to the table is from the pins G, nearer thecenter of the wheel E, thus giving a m ultiplyinglever for returning thetable. The result of this is twofold.

quired in its forward movement, and it reduces the power required fromthe moving clay to move the table against the clay movement, bothfactors greatly decreasing the tendency of the clay to upset in thereturn of the table.

The operation of the machine as a whole is as follows: The clay is fedonto the belt B from a clay-mill, causing that belt and itssupporting-rollers to move at the same speed as the clay. The claypasses over the table D, and after the bricks are out they are deliveredupon the discharge-belt G. The table D, beingin its initial position anda sufficient quantity of clay being upon the machine, the

. table moves forward with the clay because of the engagement of therack F with the gearwheel E. As the table moves forward it rocks Itreturns the table underthe moving clay at a less speed than is re-'table is moved forward the desired distance,

one of the pins G on the wheel 8 will engage the flange G on therack-bar F and lift that rack-bar out of engagement with the gear=wheel, shown in Fig. 3. Another of the pins G will engage the finger Ion the arm J and draw the'table back, this backward movement being at aslower speed than the forward movement because of the location of thepin G some distance in from the periphery of the wheel, while theforward actuation of the table is produced by engagement of the rack-barwith the periphery of the wheel. At the proper time the rack-bar willagain drop into engagement with the gear-wheel and I another operationwill take place.

What I claim as my invention is 1. Inabrick-machine,acuttingdevicecomprising a longitudinallyreciprocating carriage, means for actuatingthe carriage by the clay, a horizontal transverselymoving cut-off on thecarriage, and an actuating device therefor applied in the line of theload on the carriage, whereby side thrust or side friction is obviated.

2. In abrick-machine, a cutting device comprising alongitudinally-reciprocating carriage, of a horizontaltransversely-moving out-off thereon, an actuating mechanism on thecarriage for the cut-ofi and a motor or power, device outside thecarriage for imparting motion to said actuating mechanism, said powerbeing applied up or down substantially in the line'of the load on thesupport for the carriage whereby there is no side thrust there-' on inmoving the cut-off.

' 3. In abrick-machine, acutting device comprising alongitudinallyreciprocating carriage, a transverselyemoving cut-offthereon,

v a rack-bar on the cut-ofi, an actuating-pinion on the carriageengaging the rack, and avertically-moving rack-bar, and connectingdevices for actuating said pinion.

4. In a brick-machine, a cutting device comprising alongitudinally-reciprocating table, driven by the moving slab of clayand supported to resist up-and-down motion while moving, atransversely-moving cut-0E and a vertically-moving actuating devicetherefor adapted to actuate the cut-off in both its up and downmovements.

5. In a brick-machine,the combination with alongitudinally-reciprocating table, actuated by the moving clay, of atransversely-moving cut-off on the table, a gear and pinion supported onthe table, a rack on the cut-off with which the gear engages, averticallymoving rack on the table engaging the pinion,

When the and an intermittently-actuating device for the Vertical rack,controlled by the movement of the clay.

6. In a brick-machine,the combination with alongitudinally-reciprocatingtable, actuated by the moving clay, Of a transversely-moving cut-off onthe table, a shaft on the table having a gear and pinion, a frame,guided in the table, the vertical rack, meshing with said pinion P, anda link or pitman connection for intermittently driving the verticalrack, controlled by the moving clay.

7. Inabrick-machine, the actuating device for the cut-0E, comprisingshafts T, cranks on said shafts, pitmen connected to the cranks and tothe cut-0E, gears S on said shafts, a

driven shaft, a gear-wheel loose on the driven shaft, and meshing withthe gears S, pins or lugs K on said shaft, a dog on the gear-wheeladapted to be normally out of contact with said pins, means controlledby the column of clay for throwing the dog 'into contact with said pins,and devices on the operating devices for disengaging the dog.

8. In a brick-machine, the actuating device for the cut-off comprisingthe clutch mechanism, the rock-shaft U having its movement controlled bythe movement of the clay, the spring-latch 0, the arin'o, connected tothe shaft U by means of that latch and devices on the operated mechanismfor actuating the latch as soon as the arm 0 has released the dog.

9. In a brick-machine the actuating device for the cut-off comprisingthe clutch mechanism, the rock-shaft U, the arm 0 the springlatch 0connecting the arm 0 to the shaft U, the hooked end 1", on the latch 0'and the lug or plate 7" on said hooked end a", the shaft T, and the camsor pins 8 adapted to strike the lug r as and for the purpose described.

10. In a brick-machine, the combination of the reciprocating table, ofthe gear-wheel E driven by the column of clay, the rack F, the cam Gconnecting the rack-bar F with the gear-wheel E intermittently, saidrack-bar being connected to the table, pins G on the gear-wheel E thehook I and the lever J carrying the hook.

11. In a brick-machine, the combination tableback at a slower speed thanit is moved forward.

12. In a brick-machine, the combination with the reciprocating table, ofmechanism for-reciprocating it by the motion of the clay,

consisting of the gear-wheel E, the rack-bar F connected to thereciprocating table, means for intermittently connecting the rack-barwith the gear on the wheel, the arm J having the finger 1, pins Gadapted to engage the finger I and the plate or cam on the rack-baradapted to be struck by the pins to intermittently disengage therack-bar from the gearwheel.

13. In a brick-machine, the combination with the reciprocating table, ofthe actuating devices therefor, operated by the movement of the'columnof clay, said devices comprisin g the gear-wheel E, the rack-bar F, theplate G on said rack-barand the inclined face ton said plate, the pins Gon the gear wheel adapted to strike said inclined face, the finger H andthe notched diskII beside the gearwheel E, these parts cooperatingtofeed the table forward, substantiallyas described.

14. In a brick-machine, the combination with a' movable cut-offcomprising a series of wires or knives, of the slitted table-through,which they move, the slitted standards or guides-on the table besidethepath of the brick, andbowed scrapersinto which the wire moves for thepurpose described.

' 15'. In a brick-machine, scrapers for the wires, comprising bowedscrapers secured beside or to the slitted standards or guides and havingthe outward-extendin g end portions Z for the purpose described.

16. In a brick-machine, the combination with the reciprocatingcut-off,having a wire or wires for severing the clay, of curved scrapersarranged on either side of each wire for the purpose described.

17. In a clay cut-off, a reciprocating table, means for moving the tableforward at the speed of the clay, and for'moving it back at a lessspeed, by the movement of the-clay, and means for cutting off the clay.

18. In a clay cut-off, a reciprocating table, devices for moving itforward at the same speed as the clay, means for gearing back the jpower-applying device for the table in its re- I turn movement, suchdevicesbeing actuated by the column of clay and means for cutting offthe clay. with the reciprocating table, of devices for re- 19. In a claycut-off, a reciprocating table, a wheel, from a part of which the tableis moved forward actuated by the clay, means for disconnecting thedriving device at the end of the forward travel of the table, and meansfor connecting the table to the wheel at a point nearer its center thanthe forward driving-point, toreturn the table.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER FVS TIMPSON. Witnesses M. B. ODOGHERTY, OTTO F. BAR'rHEL.

